Chief Financial Officer, Community Development Partnership

Community Development Partnership

Seeks Chief Financial Officer

Organization Overview

The Community Development Partnership (the CDP) leads the Lower Cape in building a diverse year-round community of people who can afford to live, work and thrive here. The CDP does this by providing safe, stable affordable places to live through the preservation of existing homes and the creation of new affordable rental opportunities. The CDP also supports and strengthens local small businesses as they start-up and grow through micro-financing, education, and individualized assistance. Finally, the CDP facilitates collaboration with business, non-profit and government partners to fulfill its mission.

Since 1992, the CDP has been a leader in developing and delivering innovative programs that foster an economically and environmentally sustainable Lower Cape Cod community. As a community development corporation, the CDP values economic diversity and is committed to the inclusion and participation of local area residents, business owners, and leaders in setting our priorities. The CDP is an established leader on affordable housing on the Lower Cape, and it is now exploring ways to leverage its highly inclusive Lower Cape Community Housing Partnership model to address more issues that affect the vibrancy of a year-round resident community, such as childcare, economic development, business start-up and regulatory processes.

Based in Orleans, MA, the CDP has an annual budget of $3.4 million funded through government & foundation grants, contributions from individuals & businesses, and earned revenue. A staff of seventeen professionals is charged with delivering the organization’s programs, and the CDP is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors comprised of business and community leaders.

Position Overview

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will join the CDP after several years of stable leadership in its finance function. The CDP is also poised for significant growth in multiple, community-driven ways, including the launch of partnerships focused on new affordable rental housing development for the first time in ten years, and the exploration of additional strategic partnerships aimed at driving efficient, collaborative impact across the Lower Cape.

The CFO plays a critical role in the CDP’s work by managing all financial and administrative functions including finance, external audit, human resources, IT, risk management, and facilities. The CFO is a member of the organization’s Senior Management Team and reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer. The CFO supervises three direct reports and is responsible for ensuring that reporting requirements with funders and subsidizing agencies are met in a timely manner. In addition, the CFO participates in new program development with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), key staff, board members, and program stakeholders.

The CFO works from CDP’s offices located in Orleans, MA. There is an opportunity to work remotely up to 3 days per week following a successful on-boarding process. This is a full-time exempt position (37.5 hours/week).

Specific Responsibilities

Accounting, Budgeting and Fiscal Oversight

• Establish and implement policies and procedures for all financial management functions, ensuring appropriate controls and compliance with generally accepted accounting practices (GAAP) and other applicable state and federal regulations.
  • Oversee the process for identifying and evaluating opportunities for improved financial operations, recordkeeping, and reporting.
  • Ensure proper maintenance of the chart of accounts and manage accounts receivable G/L entries, cash receipts, and bank deposits.
  • Provide oversight for accounts payable G/L entries, check processing and bill payments.
  • Maintain and reconcile the general ledger in accordance with the CDP’s cost allocation plan, GAAP, FASB, and the Circular A-133.
• Optimize the organization’s accounting system (Oracle NetSuite), including ACH payments, loan amortizations schedules, timekeeping, and reporting as needed.
• Establish and lead the organization’s budgeting process, including creating user-friendly templates and a clear process to guide yearly budget development and producing regular actual to budget reports to inform program budget management.
• Ensure accurate processes and procedures are established and utilized to account for and allocate revenue and expenditures to federal, state, and private grants and to provide accurate and timely reporting to funders.
• Lead the external audit process, serving as the primary interface with the independent auditors and ensuring accuracy of financial statements, including Form 990.
• Manage and supervise the financial side of the human resource function, including payroll processing, benefit enrollment, and employee earned time accruals.
• Manage all CDP bank accounts, including opening/closing accounts, overseeing bank reconciliations, and managing the line of credit.

Administrative Leadership

• Oversee office IT, including the organization’s contract with Secure Business Networks as well as hardware, software, and email accounts.
• Oversee the maintenance of the CDP’s office facilities.
• Manage key personnel tasks, including:
  • Managing employee benefits;
  • Updating/maintaining the organization’s employee manual;
  • Hiring and onboarding; and
  • Maintaining payroll and benefit records.
• Serve as the organization’s risk management leader by evaluating property and liability insurance needs, procuring appropriate insurance policies, and managing data security.
• Support and oversee the timely submission of monthly, quarterly, and annual program reports.
• Maintain critical organizational files, including grant proposals, grant awards, contracts, and any subsequent reporting.

Staff Management and Organizational Leadership

• Provide supportive, high-quality management and professional development to three direct reports – Director of Finance/Comptroller, Administrative & Fiscal Manager, and Executive Assistant & Administrative Coordinator.
• Prepare and present comprehensive, clear, and concise financial reports to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis that provide both fiscal and operational insights.
• Communicate well verbally and in writing, including tailored communication of financial information to non-financial professionals.
• Develop and maintain supportive, collaborative, and respectful relationships with all staff, displaying a keen interest in the mission-focused work of others.
• Collaborate in program resource development by assisting with grant applications and reports, including managing the financial reporting and billing on all grants.
• Represent the organizational externally, including attending meetings and trainings as deemed necessary by the CEO and the Finance Committee.
• Serve on the organization’s Senior Leadership Team, participating actively in implementing the organization’s strategic initiatives.
• Serve as staff liaison to the board’s Finance Committee, scheduling meetings, preparing meeting agenda and packets.

Profile of the Ideal Candidate

Credentials

The CFO will be an entrepreneurial professional with ambition and a strong work ethic. An energetic, collaborative, and dependable team player, the CFO will be passionate about the work and enjoy coming up with new ideas and sustaining existing initiatives. Experience in the nonprofit sector would be advantageous. Desired credentials include:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, management, or a related field.
• At least 5 years' senior financial leadership experience at an organization of comparable size, scope, and financial complexity.
• CPA, CMA, or another accounting certification would be advantageous.

Skills and Experience

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow and excel professionally. The CDP respects this when it reviews applications and takes a broad look at the experience of each applicant. The CDP wants to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. The CDP is most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate a majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below.

• A passion for the CDP’s mission along with knowledge of affordable housing and community development issues and financial requirements.
• Proven ability to manage an organization’s finances and administrative function through change, resulting in the realization of new opportunities, greater impact, and/or increased efficiency
• Experience with external auditors, compliance management, and regulatory oversight.
• Thorough knowledge of budgeting and fund accounting policies, practices, processes, procedures, and reporting.
• Understanding of and/or experience with state/federal funding.
• Experience at integrating IT/systems to improve accounting productivity and accuracy.
• Collaborative, “can-do" mindset and outstanding problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to motivate, lead, manage, empower, and grow staff members.
• Strong communication (written and oral) and presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex financial principles to individuals with less financial acumen.
• Able to both lead and step back, with strong instincts regarding when each is appropriate.
• Intrinsically driven to succeed coupled with a willingness to dive into detailed work when necessary.
• Comfortable flowing between a 30,000 ft strategic viewpoint and a high level of detail-oriented, tactical work.
• Familiarity with property management and the funding mechanisms associated with affordable housing, including but not limited to, community development block grants, low-income housing tax credits, Section 8 project and tenant-based programs.
• Excellent computer skills and a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook 365), Zoom video conferencing, and accounting software such as Oracle NetSuite, and Salesforce.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $135,000 annually. The CDP also provides a generous package of benefits including health/dental insurance (the CDP covers 80% of the premiums), 4-weeks of vacation, eleven paid holidays, sick time, and retirement benefits (the CDP provides a 4% match immediately upon start).

Application Process and Additional Information

The CDP is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The CDP is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from minority candidates.

To apply, please submit in PDF format your resume and a cover letter that describes 1) how your qualifications and experience match the mission of the CDP and the requirements of the job; 2) your salary requirements; and 3) if taking this job would require you to move to Cape Cod, why that is a good fit for you at this time. A background check will be required of finalists. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. Upload required documents to: https://eostransitions.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

The initial stages of this search are being facilitated by Eos Transition Partners consultants John Tarvin. All submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential, and any questions should be submitted to John at: jtarvin@eostransitions.com.